Cape Wrath and The Grudge are the next two eaux de parfum in the new Force Majeure line from BeauFort London, which I would like to introduce to you today. I would like to remind you that the collection bears the German name “Höhere Gewalt” and was created by Scottish perfumer Euan McCall. Both the perfumer and the fragrance house itself are known for their unusual, often idiosyncratic creations, which makes the line very promising. Here is my quick review from yesterday: Force Majeure by BeauFort London – Force Majeure.
Even visually, it is noticeable that the new range differs from the British fragrance house’s previous creations. While BeauFort London has previously relied on deep black bottles with labels or light sketches, the glass bottles in the new collection are transparent and therefore light in color. They have a black tangle of lines running through them, making them look as if the glass has cracked. The shape and lid have remained the same, which means that the fragrances in the Force Majeure line fit perfectly into the brand’s overall portfolio despite their visual differences.
Cape Wrath – Cape in the north
Our first candidate today is Cape Wrath, which takes us to a place of the same name in the northwest of Scotland. High above the sea, on rocky cliffs up to 280 meters high, stands a 19th century lighthouse. The area is rugged and pristine. There is a lot of nature and few people, which sounds very appealing. Perfumer Euan McCall used the ingredients pink pepper, elemi resin, galbanum, angelica (angelica root), frankincense, mastic, geranium, ambergris, vetiver, ambrette, seaweed and oakmoss for the olfactory realization of this very special region.
Cape Wrath, named after the rugged coastline at the most north-westerly tip of the UK, draws inspiration from this wild, dangerous seascape. The remote landmark – named after the Old Norse word for “turning point” – has been used by seafarers for centuries to safely navigate the coast of Britain, but the treacherous waters have claimed countless ships.
The opening of Cape Wrath is dry, fresh and greenish-spicy. The creation wafts around me like a cool but not too damp breeze, not stormy but surprisingly pleasant and gentle. It’s not a North Sea gale that blows around me on the high cliffs of Cape Wrath. The sky is overcast, but here and there the sun peeks out, providing a subtle warmth and making the lush greenery and herbaceous fauna shine in the most beautiful way. There is salt in the air – a natural feature of this region – while mineral-powdery facets and a greenish sea spray play around the melange.
Cape Wrath is a transparent, exciting mix that translates the rocky, rough coastal region in the north of Scotland into an olfactory experience. The eau de parfum reveals itself to be surprisingly well-mannered. I wouldn’t have been surprised if a gale-force North Sea storm had rolled over me, but Cape Wrath shows its best side throughout. The greenish-algae sound of the sea over steep cliffs. Cool, but not cold. Tranquillity, deceleration in fragrance form. Original, adventurous, idiosyncratic. Not a crowdpleaser per se, but a creation for anyone who prefers special, unusual and striking compositions that are nevertheless suitable for everyday wear and the office and can be worn at any time of year. Great! 🌊
The Grudge – BeauFort London
The Grudge gave me a fright when I was researching the fragrance. If you just type “Grudge” into the search engine, a black-haired, wet creepy figure with the look of “The Ring” immediately appears, which is not my cup of tea. Despite my advanced age, I am a real scaredy-cat in this respect. The eau de parfum revolves around ambergris, which originally comes from the gastrointestinal tract of the sperm whale – now no longer used in natural form in fragrances for reasons of species conservation – and is repeatedly washed up on the beaches of Scotland. The Grudge combines the ingredients wormwood, frankincense, resins, tea, seaweed, calamus, ambergris, tobacco, eaglewood (oud), musk, oakmoss and labdanum (cistus).
With The Grudge, BeauFort London shows exactly the olfactory facets that I expect from the brand. The eau de parfum starts off lush, expressive and also a little rugged. The sea is harsh and rough. Greenish-algae seaweed saltiness meets mineral and rocky accents. Resinous, smoky driftwood washes up. The clouds hang low, gray and rain-laden. The fragrance slowly calms down in the finish, becoming creamy-powdery and a little earthy, gradually fading away.
The eau de parfum is perfect for anyone who loves the unconventional creations of BeauFort London and Euan McCall. A fragrance with rough edges that is authentic, powerful and original, yet always composed in a harmonious and balanced way. Perfect for anyone who prefers maritime eaux de parfum without swimming pool vibes, Mediterranean or tropical hints. With The Grudge, you get the roughness of the North Sea, the special accents of algae, seaweed and rugged rocks in olfactory form. And although it is so unconventional and unconventional, I find the fragrance – with the right wearer – quite suitable for everyday use. A great conclusion to this very special new line from BeauFort London. 🖤
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